The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a “one chance” robbery gang linked to the death of 23-year-old Grace Godwin in Abuja.
The suspects, Kabiru Abdullahi, 25, and Solomon Tanko, 35, were apprehended by the command’s Scorpion Squad following an investigation into the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said in a statement on Tuesday.
The attack occurred on July 11, 2025, when Godwin, a fuel-pump attendant, unknowingly boarded a commercial vehicle operated by the criminal gang while returning home from work. Her unconscious body was discovered the next day along Iya Abubakar Street, Life Camp, and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that Miss Godwin boarded a vehicle linked to the ‘one chance’ syndicate. Using digital reconstructive intelligence, operatives traced and arrested two gang members,” Adeh said.
Investigations indicated that the victim recognised some of the robbers from her Dape community. During a struggle, Abdullahi allegedly strangled her with a plastic nylon bag after she bit his finger in self-defense.
Recovered items from the suspects include a golden Toyota Camry, known locally as “Pencil Light,” and plastic nylon bags used in the crime, Adeh added.
Police confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate who remain at large.
The term “one chance” refers to a form of robbery in which criminals pose as commercial vehicle operators to lure unsuspecting passengers. Victims are often robbed, assaulted, or killed before being abandoned on isolated roads.
Despite regular crackdowns, “one chance” robberies remain a persistent security challenge in Abuja and other major Nigerian cities, especially in high-traffic areas.
The FCT Police Command reiterated its commitment to tackling this crime and urged the public to exercise caution when boarding commercial vehicles.
